Experts conduct ultrasonic testing of Konark Sun Temple's iron beams

Experts have started ultrasonic and chemical testing of iron beams of the 13th-century marvel Konark Sun Temple from Wednesday to know the ancient manufacturing technology and corrosion rate of the massive beams. 

A team of experts from the Jamshedpur-based National Meteorological Laboratory on behalf of the Science and Technology Ministry is carrying out the ultrasonic test while another team from Bhubaneswar-IIT is conducting electrochemical testing of the beams.

The experts are also trying to know the impact rate of corrosion on the beams.
Notably, around 30 massive iron beams were used on the façade and entry points of the world-famous Sun temple in Konark. 

About 500 years ago, the beams were dismantled from the shrine and stocked at a place. What has baffled the experts is that even though the iron beams have been lying exposed to the saline environment of the coastal part for over 500 years, these objects of interest have kept the rusting at bay. This amply indicates the metallurgical knowledge of the architects who built the temple which still stood against the ravages of time.

Apart from getting an insight into the manufacturing process used to make such massive beams in ancient times which are rust-resistant in nature, the experts will also try to understand the degree of impact being borne by the iron beams from saline-content air.

Taking to reporters, Omkar Mohanty, Retired professor of IIT Kharagpur, said, "During the testing, we are not cutting into the beams. How can we know what lies inside? Ultrasonic tests will reveal the inner composition of the beams. We are also doing its corrosion test known as an electrochemical test to know its rate of rusting, as these beams still exist in the area close to the sea despite lying exposed to air. In the coastal area, there are chlorine and chloride contents in the air.”

Reported by Sanjay Pati